Jordan

Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is a country in the Middle East. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Israel, and the Palestinian territories, with a short Red Sea coastline at Aqaba. The capital and largest city is Amman. Arabic is the official language; English is widely used in business and government. The population is around 11 million, with a mix of urban and rural communities.

Jordan is a constitutional monarchy. The king holds substantial authority over foreign affairs and security, while a prime minister leads the government with a cabinet and a parliament. The legislature comprises the elected House of Representatives and an appointed Senate. Modern statehood began under the British mandate; independence followed in 1946 as Transjordan, the country annexed the West Bank in 1950 and held it until 1967. A 1994 peace treaty with Israel is a notable milestone.

Geography includes the Jordan Rift Valley and the Dead Sea, the lowest land elevation on Earth. The climate is arid to semi-arid, and the Jordan River flows through the region. Notable sites include Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea. The population is predominantly Arab, with Palestinian refugees and minority communities such as Circassians and Armenians.

The economy relies on services, tourism, and manufacturing, with phosphate mining among key industries. Tourism centers on Petra, the Dead Sea, and Wadi Rum. Jordan depends on foreign aid and energy imports, and faces water scarcity. It is a relatively stable, diplomatically active state in a volatile region.